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(No Model.)

J. H. DALE. GRIP FOR CABLE RAILWAYS;

Patented June 7, 1887.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. H. DALE. GRIP FOR CABLE RAILWAYS.

No. 364,488. Patented June 7, 1887 I N T R X 3 A fzorney',

N. PETER}. MLIWP. Wahinm D. C.

UNITED STATES PA ENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. DALE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- IIALF TO EDVARD D. DOUGIIER'IY, OF SAME PLACE.

GRIP FOR CABLE RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 364,488, dated June 7, 1887.

Application filed Drceniher l, 1656. Serial N 220,744

(No modelJ T 'aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN H. DALE, ofPhiladelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grips for Cable Railways; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make [0 and use the same.

My invention relates to grips for cable railways.

The object of my invention is to provide a cable-grip that will be duplex in operation- [5 that is, to embody two similar gripping-clamps that are each adapted to be depressed toward a base picceand grip the running cable between these opposed surfaces.

-A further object is to provide a cable lifting and clamping mechanism that will raise or pick up the cable from a plane below the clampingjaws and secureit instantly between these jaws, releasing the cable and projecting it laterally from the jaws with equal facility.

2 A further object is to construct a pick-up and gripping device that will raise a cable that lies in a plane on either side of the gripping center, and will thus permit attachment to either of two running cables, as may be desired.

A further object is provide a cable-gripping device that will be of simple, compact, and durable construction, and that will hold a cable securely, release it promptly, and pick it up with unfailing certainty.

\Vith these objects in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

0 In the drawings making apart of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation of the grip. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the dev1ce. Fig. 3 is an edge elevation of a modification ofthe mechanism, exhibiting a single grip-j aw 5 operated by devices analogous to that employed in the duplex pick-up and grip apparatusshown in previous views. Fig. 4 is an edge view of a modification of the duplex cable: grip, showing a different means for picking up a cable on either side of the device.

In the drawings, A A are the housings or f lame-pieces. These are made of metal plates of suitable width and thickness. They are made parallel on their sides and edges, a proper distance intervening between these edges to accommodate other mechanism. The lower terminations, O G, are rigidly attached to the base'hlock B, which is preferably made of metal, it being made in length to correspond to the width between the outer edges of the housing-plates A A. The upper ends of the plates A A are secured by rivets or screwbolts to the depending limbs a (t of the yoke II, this yoke being forked to embrace the sides of the plates, as shown in Fig. 2.

The boss I) is formed integral with the upper horizontal bar, H'", of the yoke H, at its center it is perforated axially to receive the shank of the screw H, a collar, 0, formed on this shank of the screw H bearing against the lower face of the bar H, and a hand-wheel, I,

'is rigidly affixed upon the upper projecting end of the screw-shank.

The parallel bars G G are given a position between the housing-plates A A, with their outer edges in sliding contact with the inner edges of these plates. The upper ends of the bars G G are riveted or bolted to the flanges d on the nut H, these flanges extending laterally a suitable length to embrace the side surfaces of the plates and retain them a proper distance apart.

The nut H is given such a position as to be in line with the threaded end of the screw H, and is made to fit this screw, which is inserted therein, as shown in Fig. 1.

Upon each side of the bars G G are placed the cross-bars J, immediately opposite each other and rigidly attached to plates G G. The bars J are extended beyond the outer edges of the housing-plates A A, for a purpose that will be shown.

Between the upright bars G- G,of a width to slide against their edges,the vertical slide-bar K is located. This bar K is attached at its upper termination to a link, K, by a pivotbolt, 0.

On the. side face 'of the yoke H the lever I is pivotally secured by a fulcrum-bolt, g. A quadrant, Q, is formed upon the outer edge of the yoke H, having its edge of a curvature to correspond to the sweep of the radius bar or lever 1 The edge of the quadrant is properly notched to permit the secure adjustment of the bar K at various points of elevation, the operating-lever 1* being constructed with a locking-bolt, h, that is spring-secured and operated in a well-known manner to register with the several notches, l, of the quadrant when the lever is vibrated. The free end 6 of the lever I is pivoted to the upper end of the link K. (See Fig. 1.)

The base-block B is constructed with two inclined faces, 2', one on each side, the upper portion of the block being formed into a rounded boss, that is perforated endwise for the reception of the bolt E.

The grip-jaws D D are made of a width to correspond to breadth of the baseblock B. They have upwardly-projecting limbs U U, that are each furnished with rounded cars, which are rule-jointed, and thus permit pivotal attachment of the jaws on each side of the base-block B by the insertion of the bolt E through perforations made in the centers of the joint-lugs on the grip-jaws. These jaws D D have their projecting faces F made with an inclination downward, to cause them to be parallel to the opposed faces 13 of the base-block B. Each face of the vibrating jaws D D, and also the corresponding faces of the base-block B,are preferably constructed with dovetail grooves made in their bodies to receive the wearingplates F, that are securely inserted in these grooves.

Upon the outer edges of the housing-plates A A are placed the cable-dischargers M. These consist of metallic bars adapted to have a limited reciprocal movement vertically, their upper ends beingrigidlyaffixed to the outer ends of the parallel cross-bars X, that are secured at their centers on each side of the center bar, K, as shown at 1), Fig. 1.

On the upper ends of the limbs U U of the grip-jaws D D are secured the outwardly-projecting stud-bolts If. These bolts tare made to engage the cam-slots t in the cam-blocks g, which are secured in position by right-angle flanges 9 upon the outer projecting ends of the cross-bars 9, these bars being made of such relative length to the cable-dischargers M that suitable grooves will be afforded for the reception of the bars M, and permit their free vertical motion when required.

The grooves 25 of the cam-blocks g are made of a sufficient length and diagonal pitch to give to the vibrating jaws D a proper oscillation and cause them to impinge their wearingplates F upon the cable S when it is located below their contact-faces.

Both the cabledischarging bars M have dart-heads M, made preferably integral upon their lower ends, the inclined faces M of these heads having a sufficient projection to push the cable S from its position between the gripjaws F and the base-block B by a depression of these bars M. The bars M are held in sliding contact with the outer surfaces of the gripjaws D by provision of vertical slots 8, in which are inserted screw-studs s, that enter and are affixed to the sides of the upper portion of the base-block B and permit vertical movement of the dart-heads M, in an obvious manner.

The cable elevating or picking-up de vice is operated by the elevation and depression of the center bar, K. Upon the lower end of this bar a double rack, K, is cut, the teeth being formed on each side edge. These racks mesh into .two proper-sized pinions, L L, and these are made to have geared connection with two lower pivoted gears, L that may be of any desirable size, both sets of gears being preferably located near the center of the basebloek B, and held in running position in a slot made in the body of this block.

The base-block B is enlarged laterally at its lower end to form two bearings, B B, to receive the shafts L The gear-wheels L are secured upon the centers of the shafts L considered lengthwise, and upon the outer projecting ends of these shafts are rigidly attached the arms N, that are designed to lift a cable from a depressed position below the jaws and carry it, by the partial rotation of the shafts L into proper position to be grasped by the gripjaws F, when these are depressed by the elevation of the quadrantlever I The arms N are preferably made with antifriction sleeves, secured to rotate upon their bodies, and thus friction of the cable where it bears against these arms is measurably reduced.

At a point, V, on the housing-plates A A two horizontal bars are affixed. These form portions of a grip-supporting carriage that is arranged to permit the grip apparatus to be moved longitudinally in relation to the car in which it is located. I have made provision for this necessary adjunct to the gripping device, and the same will be made the subject of a separate patent.

The operation of the gripping mechanism just described is simple, and consists, first, in elevating the grip-jaws D a proper height by the revolution of the handwheel I and the simultaneous depression 'of the center bar, K, which will throw down the arms N in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and as the running cable will be in position shown at 0 in Fig. 2 a reverse or lifting motion applied to the quadrant-lever 1 will cause the arms N to catch with their bell-shaped heads under the cablebody and raise it into place between the jaws and base-block, as shown in Fig. 2. A depression of the grip-jaws D, effected by rotation of the handwheel I, will cause the forcible impinge of these jaws upon the cable, and this gripping action can be made as forcible as necessary with but small effort on the part of the operator. The dropping of a cable is accomplished by elevating the grip-jaws D and an immediate depression of the bar K, which will cause the inclines on the dart-heads M to bear against the inner surface of the cable and push it down the inclined face of the IlC base-block B until the cable is clear of this piece, when the weight and tension of the cable will cause it to assume a normal position on its supports in the conduit.

I would here state that the position given the grip apparatus with regard to the stand of the operator may render it desirable to change the method of raising and depressing the gripbars G G. I therefore do not restrict myself to the use of a handwheel, as other well-known mechanical devices such as gearing, shafts, levers, and toggle-joints-may be utilized to effect the purpose, they being adapted to suit the situation.

In Fig. 3' is shown a grip apparatus that is of similar construction to that previously described, with the exception that the operating pickup and clamping devices are modified to suit the uses for a single cable, and thus in this instance dispense with duplicate mechanism. 1

The only change made, as will be noticed, is to dispense with the grip-jaw on one side, as well as the duplicate pick-up and discharging device belonging on that side. To accomplish this, the bars M are projected below the inclines O, and cut with rack-teeth u on the edges that are opposite to the edges on which are formed the cabledischarging inclines u. The racks a are made to engage the barrelpinions 1', that are meshed with intermediate pinions, r, these latter being geared with pinions 1-, which are rigidly secured on the outer ends of the shaft P, which is supported to rotate in the bearing formed for it in the pro j ecting portion P of the base-block B.

The pickup arms T are affixed on the shaft P at points inside the pinions a". They are operated by the movement of the center bar, K, and are caused by the gear-trains on each side of the grip apparatus to be lowered and elevated, hook onto, and upbear the cable to its proper position between the gripping-surfaces of the jaw D and its corresponding basejaw, F, to be by their coaction gripped or clamped the same as shown in the duplex device.

In Fig. 4. is shown a modification of the apparatus that is intended to utilize one set of pickup arms for the elevation of two cables that lie on opposite sides of the grip-body from each other, either one being eligible to use, as may be required. The gripping-jaws are constructed and operated in the same manner shown in the previously-described mechanism for the purpose of the swinging or partial rotationof theshaft L on which thepick-u p arms N are affixed, which is effected by the substitution of a round shaft and worm \/V for the rack and pinions shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. A single wheel, L, meshes into the worm XV, and this pinion in turn meshes into a similar pinion on the shaft L", that carries the pickup arms.

It is evident that by the use of a hand-wheel placed at the top of the housings A A the pickup arms N may be made to operate on a cable located on either side of the grip-body, as shown in Fig. 4.

It is apparent that other changes in the details of construction as regards precise forms and combinations of minor parts might be made without exceeding the scope or violation of the spirit of my invention. 1 do not, therefore, desire to restrict myself to the exact forms shown; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a base-block or stationary jaw and a lever located above the fixed jaw, and having a gripping-jaw at its lower end, of cam mechanism engaging the upper end of said lever, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a sliding rack-bar, of a pick-up arm and suitable gearing meshing with the rack-bar for operating the pickup arm, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a base-block serving as fixed jaws, of two movable jaws located above said fixed jaws, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, wit-h a fixed jaw and two pivoted jaws located above the fixed jaw, of cam-actuated mechanism for operating said pivoted jaws, substantially as set forth.

5. A cable-grip consisting of a suspended base-block constituting-a fixed jaw, a pivoted jaw operating in connection therewith, an ejector, apick-up arm, and bars for actuating the parts, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with a base-block serving as a stationaryjaw, of a pivoted clampingjaw located above the fixed jaw, .and cant actuating mechanism for opening and closing the pivoted jaw, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with a stationary jaw and a pivoted clampingjaw, of a. verticallysliding cable ejector or discharger, and means for actuating the latter when the cable is released by the pivoted jaw, substantially asset forth.

8. The combination, with a stationary jaw and a pivoted jaw, of means for picking up the cable and carrying it in between the pivoted and fixed j aws,and a vertically-sliding ejector for ejecting or discharging the cable from between the jaws, substantially as set forth. I 2c.

9. The combination, with a suspended baseblock forming lower gripping-jaws, of two pivoted jaws located above the base-block,and means to give vibratory motion to thcsejaws, causing-them to grip or release the cable held between these movable upper jaws and the base-block, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with a suspended baseblock, of a pivoted upper jaw adapted to ap proach the base-block, and two eable-discharging bars that can be moved downward to throw out the cable when the pivoted jaw is elevated to release its grip, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination, with a base-block and IIS two housing-plates attached to the base-block, of a pivoted upper jaw, means to operate the jaw on its pivots, two cable-discharge plates, a rack and geared pinions, a shaft, and liftin arms adapted to lift the cable when the jaw is raised, and recede from the cableto permitits' discharge when the grip-jaw is raised, substantially as set forth. 4

12. The combination,with a base-block and two attached housing-plates, a'pivoted upper jaw, and means for moving it on its pivots, of two cable-disehargers that receive motion from the grip-jaw-operating mechanism, a center rack-bar, and train of gear-wheels to operate a shaft and its attached eablelifting arms, the arms being made to move simultaneously with the discharging-bars to pick up a cable and place it below the grip-jaw when this jaw and the cable-discharging bars are simult-aneously elevated, substantially as set forth.

13. In a cable-grip, the combination, with a baseblock, a pivoted grip-jaw, and means to open and' close the gripjaw and secure it in a fixed position, of two vertically'sliding cable-discharging bars and arms for picking up and carrying the cable between the gripjaws, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination,'with abase-blocl; having two housing plates, of two pivoted gripping-jaws provided with extensions above grip-jaws pivoted to the base-blocks and have their upright limbs in sliding engagement with the slotted cams, substantially as set forth.

16. The combinatiomwith a base-block,'ofa vertical bar, two cross-bars fixed to the vertical bar, two vertical cable-dischargers having projections with inclined edges formed on their lower ends, and a means for operating the vertical bar to elevate or depress it, sub stantially as set forth.

17. The combination,with abase-blocl ofa vertical bar, two cross-bars fixed at right angles to this vertical bar,two vertical cable-dischargers having inclined laterallyextended lower parts adapted to bear on the inner surface of the cable, a link pivoted to the top end of the bar, a lever connected to thelink, two housingplates attached to the base-blocl ,and having a quadrant on one side to retain the lever and the attached bar in elevated or depressed ad justment, substantially as set forth.

18. In a cable-grip, the combination, with a base-block, two housing-plates, a quadrantplate, a reversing-lever, andalink, of a center raclebar, two cross-bars attached to this rael bar, two vertical sliding bars adapted to bear on the cable to discharge it from the grip-j aws, two pinions to mesh with the rack-bar, two lower gear-wheels, two shafts that carry these gear-wheels secured thereto, and two pick-up arms attached to each gearshaft, the cable discharging bars operating on the downstroke of the rack-bar and the pickup arms 011 the upstroke of the samebar, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. DALE.

lVitnesses:

S. W. Roor, WALTER H. LUFF. 

